Chapter 105 - Chapter 105: Signing with Sony

In Chuta Mitsui's private office at Sony's headquarters, the tense atmosphere of the meeting room had dissipated, leaving only the delicate fragrance of premium gyokuro tea. Gone were the cold metal and glass; instead, the room was furnished with stately wooden furniture and adorned with serene ink-wash paintings. A corner antique vase held a few elegant white plum blossoms, reflecting the refined taste of its occupant and a sense of ease after shedding a heavy burden.Chuta Mitsui personally poured Takuya a cup of clear, golden gyokuro, the steam rising gently. The admiration he had restrained during the meeting now surfaced alongside the tea's mist. "Takuya-kun, this game you've conceived for the LD player is truly a stroke of genius," he said, his voice far warmer than at the negotiating table, tinged with relaxed sincerity. "It's a perfect match for the LD's capabilities."Takuya accepted the teacup with both hands, the warmth seeping through his fingers, easing some of the negotiation's fatigue. He nodded slightly, calmly accepting the praise. "You're too kind, Mr. Mitsui. I merely seized a spark of inspiration."He deftly steered the conversation, his tone light but his eyes carrying undeniable expectation. "Speaking of which, regarding progress on facilitating cooperation with Bandai, do you have any updates?"Chuta sipped his tea, his gaze flickering briefly behind the steam, his smile still warm but now laced with deeper meaning. "Bandai's President Yamashina is a man who values tradition and profit. It'll require some mediation on my part." He set down the cup, tapping the Yixing clay lid lightly, his tone resolute. "Takuya-kun, give me a little time. It won't be long. Things are moving forward."This assurance eased Takuya's mind slightly, though it also signaled that dealing with Makoto Yamashina would be no easy task.The office atmosphere grew more cordial with this brief exchange. Chuta, seemingly in high spirits, tapped the desk lightly, shifting the topic to Sega. "Sega's recent momentum is truly impressive," he said casually, as if chatting about family matters, though his eyes swept over Takuya with subtle scrutiny. "Especially under your leadership, Takuya-kun, with one bold move after another.""I'm quite optimistic about Sega's future," Chuta added, his fingers brushing the smooth cup's surface, his tone almost offhand. "If there's a chance to hold a stake in Sega, it wouldn't be a bad proposition. What do you think, Takuya-kun?"The casual remark carried a hidden edge. Takuya's heart tightened, but his smile remained steady. "You flatter us, Mr. Mitsui. Sega's success today is thanks to my father's and our seniors' wise leadership and the tireless efforts of our colleagues." He paused, his tone sincere. "I'm young and inexperienced, focused only on doing my part well. As for matters like company shares, I'm afraid that's beyond my purview or authority."This deft deflection, soft yet firm, acknowledged his limits while paying respect to Sega's leadership and maintaining decorum. Chuta's eyes gleamed with understanding, recognizing Takuya's slipperiness. He laughed lightly, letting the moment pass. "You're too modest, Takuya-kun. The younger generation is formidable."They chatted briefly about industry anecdotes, the atmosphere relaxing again. Soon, Shigeo Maruyama and Ken Kutaragi entered. Maruyama's face bore his usual polished smile, but his gaze toward Takuya was now complex, no longer dismissive. Kutaragi looked weary but regarded Takuya with the respect a technician reserves for an exceptional product manager.After brief pleasantries, Chuta, Maruyama, and Kutaragi courteously escorted Takuya, Director Yoshikawa, and their team out of Sony's headquarters.A week passed in a blur of relentless negotiations and legal coordination between the two teams.Finally, in the familiar meeting room at Sony's headquarters, the atmosphere was solemn. A thick contract lay at the center of the table, its weight seeming to carry the shared aspirations of two corporate giants and the countless sleepless nights of their negotiations.Director Yoshikawa and Takuya sat side by side, representing Sega. Across from them were Maruyama and Chuta, both wearing standard business smiles, though the reluctance behind those smiles was known only to them.Under the hawk-like scrutiny of both sides' lawyers, Yoshikawa took a deep breath and picked up a specially prepared Parker fountain pen, signing his name at the contract's end with gravity. He then slid the contract and pen to Takuya, his eyes filled with relief and trust.Takuya took the pen, its weight subtle in his hand. Without hesitation, the nib glided across the paper, producing a soft yet distinct rustle, each stroke steady and forceful, mirroring his ability to navigate turbulent waters.Masao Suzuki, standing nearby, watched the signature take shape, his admiration for Takuya deepening. This young man was a marvel, consistently turning impossible situations around with a composure and foresight beyond his years, making every move seem inevitable.The signing ceremony was low-key but momentous. Sony had taken extensive measures to ensure the project's confidentiality, with even tighter security outside the meeting room.As the ceremony concluded, Sony's legal team and staff politely withdrew. Maruyama gave Yoshikawa a perfunctory handshake before leaving swiftly.Chuta lingered, a meaningful smile on his face. He approached Takuya, lowering his voice with a touch of mystery. "Takuya-kun, congratulations. Here's to a fruitful collaboration."Takuya returned the smile. "Thank you, Mr. Mitsui. Here's to ushering in a new era together.""It will," Chuta nodded, then shifted gears. "By the way, I've spoken with President Yamashina at Bandai."Takuya's eyes sharpened, his heart stirring."President Makoto Yamashina has agreed to meet with us," Chuta said, his voice low but clear, like a pebble dropped into a still lake. "The meeting is set for next Wednesday at Bandai's headquarters. I'll be there as well."